Checking In On the NHL's Five Biggest Pending UFAs in 2024

With the NHL salary cap projected to rise next season, more and more questions arise for the biggest UFAs in the league and their impending futures.

The NHL salary cap is projected to rise to $87.7 million for the 2024-25 season, a $4.2-million bump from the previous season. This comes with a huge sigh of relief for some teams, who were forced to make tough decisions with their UFAs during the flat cap due to the pandemic.

One would think this would make re-signing impending UFAs easier, but that has not been the case for some key players. While it’s normal for a player and their team to table negotiations until the end of the season, the clock does not stop ticking and there is always a chance the two sides can't come to an agreement when July 1 rolls around.

Here’s the latest on the five biggest pending UFAs entering the summer of 2024. Salary information is according to PuckPedia.

(Cap Hit: $8,500,000)

The Lightning captain said he was “disappointed” when a contract extension was not in place before the season began. Negotiations have been reportedly tabled, with GM Julien BriseBois saying he would have to evaluate “after the season to see what we have here.” These are ominous words but understandable considering the amount of talent the Lightning have lost over the past few seasons due to the cap. BriseBois wants to ensure they have quality players and quality depth.

But for Stamkos, who turns 34 in February, it can sound a little callous. He is, after all, the league’s fourth-longest tenured captain with more than 1,000 points scored, all in a Lightning uniform. He may no longer be challenging for the Rocket Richard, but he’s continued to maintain a point-per-game pace and continues to be one of the best power-play snipers in league history. He is not the reason the Lightning haven’t lived up to their lofty expectations this season. 

It will be very strange to see Stamkos with anything but a lightning bolt on his chest, but remember he flirted with free agency once before.

(Cap Hit: $6,962,366)

Ka-ching! That sound you hear is Nylander’s next contract. The 27-year-old is still in the prime of his career and scoring at a career-best 119-point pace, and his next payout number could easily double what it is right now. With roughly $29.4 million in projected cap space, the Leafs certainly have enough room to make it work, but the long-time criticism of the Leafs’ cap structure is that they allocate too much money to too few players.

It was reported recently that the two sides are still negotiating and “on the same page on a number of fronts,” which sounds optimistic that something will get done. This coming summer could be a huge turning point for the franchise, depending on what they do with Nylander, which could further impact the future of captain John Tavares, who becomes a UFA the following summer.

(Cap Hit: $6,500,000)

Reinhart is also on pace to smash his previous career high in points during his contact year. The former second-overall pick, who turned 28 in November, is on pace to easily score at least 30 goals for the third consecutive season and challenge for his first 100-point season. He’ll demand a hefty raise, but you also wonder if the Panthers are willing to go above captain Aleksander Barkov’s $10-million cap hit.

There has been no news regarding Reinhart’s negotiation, but with a 23.8 shooting percentage, perhaps the price tag will come down when the inevitable regression comes. The Panthers are projected to have roughly $24 million in cap space next season but also have plenty of other decisions to make, including pending UFAs Brandon Montour, who had a brilliant 2022-23 season, and the well-rounded Gustav Forsling, both of whom will demand substantial raises.

(Cap Hit: $6,000,000)

Back in October, it was reported that Guentzel and the Pens were not close to signing an extension. Since entering the league in 2016-17, he’s scored 211 goals in 485 games, 19th-best in the league. Having established chemistry with Sidney Crosby gives Guentzel additional leverage. Still, the Pens are another team that’s tight against the cap after acquiring Erik Karlsson and his $11.5-million cap hit, and with aging veterans Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang both under contract for multiple seasons.

It will be very hard to replace Guentzel, who is on track to score close to 40 goals again. We may not get clarity regarding Guentzel’s future with the Pens until closer to the trade deadline, depending on where they sit in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race.

(Cap Hit: $5,000,000)

Anything is possible with the Knights because they’re not the sentimental type. Just ask Marc-Andre Fleury or Max Pacioretty, or any of the prospects they had selected in the first round.

That’s not to say the Knights are cold and careless, but they have never lost sight of the bigger picture. After trading Reilly Smith, one-third of their original Misfits Line, Marchessault could be the next to leave. The Knights are projected to have less than $11 million in cap space with plenty of spots to fill out. Marchessault is the oldest forward on their roster and will turn 33 on Dec. 27, and the Knights have plenty of young forwards who can push for roster spots next season.

- Teuvo Teravainen, LW, Hurricanes ($5,400,000)

- Brady Skjei, D, Hurricanes ($5,250,000)

- Noah Hanifin, D, Flames ($4,950,000)

- Elias Lindholm, C, Flames ($4,850,000)

- Brandon Montour, D, Panthers ($3,500,000)

- Matt Duchene, RW, Stars ($3,000,000)

- Gustav Forsling, D, Panthers ($2,666,667)